The start of the summer transfer window is a week away, and with seasons at an end or almost at an end, many signings are already completed or near completion, and many more are set to come over the coming days and weeks.
Spain
Real Make 65m Kaka Bid
Real Madrid have made a 65m bid for AC Milan star Kaka. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: It wouldn’t surprise me if he did leave for Madrid this summer. AC Milan haven’t made a serious title push in the last couple of seasons, and with Carlo Ancelotti seemingly set to head to Chelsea, Kaka could jump for greener pastures and help be a cornerstone of Real’s new regime.
Barcelona Make Offer to Porto’s Alves
Barcelona have made a contract offer to Porto defender Bruno Alves. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: Defense and injuries have been Barcelona’s biggest issues in an otherwise excellent season, and if there’s an area where they need to focus their spending efforts on, it’s the back line. Alves might cost upwards of 15m, but that’s well within Barca’s range.
England
Arsenal to Battle Merseyside Rivals for Marseille’s Cana
Everton, Arsenal, and Liverpool could be set to battle it out for Marseille midfielder Lorik Cana. David Moyes may make the first move, but he could soon be followed by Arsene Wenger and Rafa Benitez. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: I don’t see Cana moving to Liverpool unless Xabi Alonso leaves, which doesn’t look likely. If it comes down to Everton and Arsenal, I’d have to favor Arsenal. The Gunners could use a little edge in their midfield, and Cana would certainly provide it.
Manchester City Striker Sturridge Set to Leave
Promising Manchester City striker Daniel Sturridge looks increasingly likely to leave the club in the summer after continuing to push for much higher wages than the club are offering. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Sturridge has a bright future, but until he proves himself, he shouldn’t be asking for that kind of money, even if his club’s owners are a bottomless pit of money.
Fulham Set to Sign West Brom Winger Brunt?
Fulham are already eying new signings after finishing 7th and qualifying for the UEFA Europa League, and they could be set to take advantage of West Brom’s relegation by doing a deal for highly-rated winger Chris Brunt. The Northern Ireland international scored eight league goals for the Baggies this season. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: Brunt grew up a fan of Rangers, and he’s recently been linked with a move to Rangers, so he could very well prefer a move there.
Italy
Juventus Close In On Diego Deal
Werder Bremen star Diego is close to signing for Juventus, as he’s in Turin today for a medical at his soon-to-be new club. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: No surprises here.
Genoa to Bid for Villarreal’s Rossi?
Genoa are set to make a bid for Villarreal forward Giuseppe Rossi. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: It’s pretty likely that Villarreal will turn this one down, but it certainly says something about Genoa’s ambitions to be aggressively pursuing as many front line options as they have.
Fiorentina Interested in Hoffenheim’s Beck
Fiorentina are interested in Hoffenheim right back Andreas Beck. After moving from VfB Stuttgart last summer, Beck had a successful season for newly-promoted Hoffenheim and earned his first three caps for the German senior team. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: He’ll likely draw significant interest from some of Germany’s top sides, but the chance to play for one of Serie A’s best sides could appeal to him. However, Hoffenheim don’t exactly need to sell, and they might not want to lose one of their key assets.
Germany
Bayern Munich to Bid for Portsmouth’s Johnson
After their disappointing runner-up league finish, Bayern Munich are already looking at quality summer reinforcements, and one name on their list is Portsmouth defender Glen Johnson, who could cost 15m. (Tribal Football)
Analysis: As appealing as the move would be, I can’t say I see Johnson moving to Bayern, though it could come down to whether or not Liverpool and Tottenham want to trump up what Portsmouth want for him.
Bayern in Talks Over Wolfsburg’s Dzeko
Bayern are also looking at big-named strikeforce additions. VfB Stuttgart striker Mario Gomez is a longtime target, but the club has already made contact for hotshot VfL Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Bayern have already replaced the outgoing Lukas Podolski by landing one of the Bundesliga’s top forwards in Ivica Olic, but adding Dzeko or Gomez would certainly put them in pole position to regain Bundesliga supremacy next season.
Hertha Pass On Permanent Voronin Signing
Hertha Berlin have decided not to permanently sign on-loan striker Andriy Voronin. The Liverpool man scored 11 league goals for Hertha, helping them to a fourth-place Bundesliga finish and a UEFA Europa League place. (Sky Sports)
Analysis: Voronin did score 11 goals for Hertha, but eight of them came in a six-match stretch in February and March. He failed to score in the last seven league matches, during which Hertha’s title challenge faded, and his inconsistency could be why they opted not to keep him.
Daily Links
Burnley Earn Premier League Promotion
The final piece of the 2009/10 Premier League puzzle has been set, as Burnley beat Sheffield United 1-0 in the Championship playoff final to book their place in the top flight next season.
England Squad for Kazakhstan and Andorra
Fabio Capello has named his 24-man squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Andorra.
Top 10 Goals of the Premier League Season
There were many great goals in the Premier League this past season, but which ones were the very best?
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